Finalists Announced for the 2026 Sport Tourism Canada’s PRESTIGE Awards
Sport Tourism Canada (STC) proudly announces the finalists for the 2026 PRESTIGE Awards which recognize exceptional sport tourism initiatives, multisport games, and events. The PRESTIGE Awards also shine a spotlight on the people and places behind these initiatives, multisport games and events that make the Canadian sport tourism industry so dynamic and diverse.
“We have a rich history of sport tourism in Canada, and the 2026 PRESTIGE nominations once again illustrate the breadth and depth of our industry,” said Sheena McCrate, CEO, Sport Tourism Canada. “The 30 finalists represent both summer and winter sports, held in smaller communities and major urban centres. It’s another demonstration of the calibre of the events held in Canada, both domestic and international, and incredible legacies, as well as a recognition of the volunteers and sponsors who are the backbone of sport hosting and sport tourism. The future of the sport tourism industry is bright thanks to the incredible talent of the rising stars in our industry. We were encouraged to see the response to our awards program, with 55 entries received this year. We thank everyone for submitting a nomination and look forward to honouring all of our PRESTIGE finalists in Mississauga.”
2026 SPORT TOURISM CANADA
PRESTIGE AWARDS FINALISTS
STC Canadian Sport Event of the Year: Group A (Budget of $1M to $10M)
presented by Tourism Calgary
2025 Montana’s Brier – Kelowna, BC
Canadian Finals Rodeo – Edmonton, AB
Scotties Tournament of Hearts 2025 – Thunder Bay, ON
STC Canadian Sport Event of the Year: Group B (Budget less than $1M)
presented by Sport Niagara
2025 Canadian Ringette Championships – Ottawa, ON
Esso Cup 2025 – Lloydminster, AB/SK
Rugby Canada Summer Test Series – Edmonton, AB
STC International Sport Event of the Year: Group A (Budget of $2M to $10M)
presented by Air Canada
2025 PwC Tremblant World Cup – Mont-Tremblant, QB
2025 World Archery Youth Championships – Winnipeg, MB
BKT World Men’s Curling Championship – Moose Jaw, SK
STC International Sport Event of the Year: Group B (Budget less than $2M)
2025 Pacific Nations Cup – Calgary, AB
2025 Para Cup – Dawson Creek, BC
2025 UIAA Ice Climbing World Cup & YEG Ice Fest – Edmonton, AB
Volleyball Nations League 2025 – Québec City, QC
STC Sport Event Legacy of the Year
presented by Golf Canada
2025 Canada Games – St. John’s, NL
2025 Para Cup – Dawson Creek, BC
All-Nations Volleyball Showcase – Edmonton, AB
STC Sport Tourism Volunteer of the Year
presented by Explore Edmonton
Diane Imrie – Thunder Bay, ON
Garry McColman – Kingston, ON
Kiara Jefferies – North Bay, ON
STC Sport Event Partnership of the Year
presented by Visit Mississauga
2025 Canada Games – St. John’s, NL
4 Nations Face-Off – Montréal, QC
Snow Rodeo – FIS Snowboard Halfpipe & Slopestyle World Cups – Calgary, AB
STC Sport Tourism Rising Star of the Year
presented by Discover Halifax
Charlotte Nicholson – Charlottetown, PE
Jeremy Hick – London, ON
Kiara Jefferies – North Bay, ON
STC Sport Tourism Industry Champion
Bob Young – City of Leduc
Matt Moore – Central Nova Scotia Sports & Entertainment
Paul Burke – City of Thunder Bay
STC Marquee Sport Event of the Year – Budget over $10M
presented by Events Regina
2025 Canada Games – St John’s, NL
2025 CPKC Women’s Open – Mississauga, ON
RBC Canadian Open – Caledon, ON
This 18th edition of the STC PRESTIGE Awards will be presented at the awards gala on March 11, 2026, in Mississauga, ON at the Hilton Meadowvale. The awards gala takes place in conjunction with STC’s annual Sport Events Congress (March 10-12, 2026), which is Canada’s largest annual gathering of sport and tourism professionals, event managers and industry suppliers that attracts approximately 400 delegates each year.
Tickets
Tickets to the PRESTIGE Awards are included with delegates’ fees for those who are registered delegates at Sport Events Congress. Tickets are also available for purchase on a stand-alone basis, subject to availability. The cost is $350 + tax per person and includes attendance at the Gala Awards dinner and dance. For more information about Sport Events Congress, the PRESTIGE Awards or Sport Tourism Canada, please visit our website.
About Sport Tourism Canada
Sport Tourism Canada is an organization founded in the year 2000 through a partnership with the Canadian Tourism Commission with the mission to increase Canada’s capacity to attract and host sport tourism events, and grow the sector. STC has over 280 members, which include municipalities, national, provincial/territorial and multi-sport organizations, educational institutions and other suppliers that support the sport tourism industry.
For more information contact:
[email protected]